SLAIN Sean Ridley’s unsolved murder has claimed a second victim after his partner drank herself to death.

Donna Marie Skillen, 33, was found dead slumped in her home, an empty vodka bottle by her side.

Today, her mother, Bernadette Skillen, said her daughter’s life spiralled into one long drink-fuelled binge following Sean’s murder and the failure of anyone to be held responsible.

Bernadette said: “She’s the second victim of this murder. She absolutely adored Sean and she was devastated when he was killed.

“She didn’t take her own life but she drank heavily and abused alcohol after he died. She just didn’t know how to cope with it. She was heartbroken.

“They were obsessed with each other. She was never off the phone to him trying to find out when he would be home. She missed Sean so much when he died that she never recovered.”

Father-of-two Sean was beaten to death outside a pub in Newcastle’s West End four years ago, and now Donna has been found in the living room of her Birch Close flat in Birtley, Gateshead.

Police were called to break down the mother-of-three’s front door at 1.50pm on August 29 after friends and family became worried as they had not heard from her for days.

Bernadette, of Vallum Court, Fenham, Newcastle, said her daughter never recovered from her loss. Donna’s children, Jamie, 15, Michael, 12, and Megan, nine, are now living with their grandparents.

Donna had suffered mental health problems in the past but not during her four-year relationship with Sean.

After he was stamped and kicked to death on January 30, 2004, outside the Balmoral pub on Westgate Road, Donna’s ex-boyfriend, Michael Newton, was accused of the murder. The charges were later dropped when a Newcastle Crown Court judge advised the jury to return a not guilty verdict.

Donna and her children were forced to move from their close family in Elswick, Newcastle.

“It was the shock of losing Sean that brought all her problems back,” said Bernadette, who claims Donna was outcast by his family.

“She was shoved to the back of Sean’s funeral and she never had the chance to say goodbye. She used to have to sneak to his grave to lay flowers.

“She had to move because she was being spat at. Her children were being pointed at and taunted. They were only babies.

“She tried so hard to keep things together, but the alcohol just took hold.

“I want her children to remember her how she really was, a practical joker. She would do anything for anyone.

“If anyone was down or miserable she’d cheer them up and tell them life was for living.”

The exact cause of Donna’s death has yet to be determined.

Police have notified the coroner and an inquest is expected to follow.

Originally from Elswick Donna would frequently return to visit her family.

Her dedication to them was confirmed when she recently applied to change her second name, by deed-poll, to McClaren, the same as her brothers.

Through her tears Bernadette: “It’s terrible for the children, they adored her. They used to argue over who would sit next to her.

“Her oldest son Jamie is being strong but I know it’s going to hit him at the funeral. I think Megan is too young to really realise what’s happening and Michael he just can’t stop crying.”

Donna’s funeral was being held today at Newcastle’s Westgate Crematorium.